The suppressor will come with a soft carry case and disassembly tool for maintenance. (Photo: Ruger)
Ruger is arguably the first name in rimfire guns–now they’re going for the first name in rimfire cans. The Silent-SR 22 is a first for Ruger in a little round package. It’s a suppressor, it’s affordable, it’s full-auto rated for .22 Long Rifle and it can be used with .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire and .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire.
As you would expect from Ruger, the Silent-SR is a mid-range suppressor that most importantly, doesn’t sacrifice build quality to achieve a low retail price. It’s fairly light, at 6.3 ounces and compact at 5.4 inches long, with a diameter just a hair over 1 inch across.
The suppressor body is titanium for its weight and strength properties, the baffles are stainless steel for longevity and the end caps are aluminum. The suppressor has a Cerakote finish, which scores high marks for durability and corrosion resistance.
The disassembly process in four steps. (Photo: Ruger)
The baffle design is pretty radical and it’s clear a lot of thought went into the Silent-SR. It’s user-serviceable and comes with a straightforward takedown tool. The baffle stack comes out as a single unit and snaps apart for deep cleaning which is a critical feature for any good rimfire suppressor–they get dirty, fast.
And like most rimfire guns, the Silent-SR has 1/2×28 threads. Ruger claims it offers a 40-decibel reduction in sound pressure and real-world testing will have to back that up–and there will be a lot of real-world testing. This can has everything going for it and a suggested retail price of $449.
With in-store prices likely under $400, the Silent-SR is priced between entry-level budget cans and more expensive rimfire suppressors offered by premium suppressor manufacturers. It hits the sweet spot in the middle, just right by Ruger standards.
But what makes the Silent-SR really stand out is that it’s an NFA-regulated Ruger. Ruger is the dictionary definition of what “mainstream” stands for in the gun world, and if Ruger thinks that suppressors should be mainstream, it’s a solid bet they will be and soon.
The Silent-SR 22 represents a greater sea change in the suppressor world and will go a long way to normalize suppressor ownership. Although the ATF recently removed the CLEO signatory requirement for NFA transfers, the suppressor buying process is still pretty far from simple, and ultimately what a lot of people want is the removal of suppressors from the NFA entirely.
It will take companies like Ruger to show people that suppressors are fun, cool and most importantly, safe if pro-suppressor legislation like the Hearing Protection Act is going to pass. The Silent-SR 22, through the power of the traditional, all-American Ruger brand, really takes the edge off suppressors.
Hopefully, this will just be the beginning for Ruger. A whole line of Ruger cans from rimfire to magnum rifle would be a huge gift to the suppressor community, and not just in the form of more suppressor options.
I ordered the Silence SR it took just about 3 weeks or a little less to come.e into my retailer, but it has been 6 months and still waiting for ATF stamp. Hopefully soon as my range requires quiet shooting.
I hope that the finish is not ” Painted ” on the new S&W 22 , like it is on the 22A . smith lost me when I cleaned the new 22A and the Finish came off . Never had a Ruger that I had to worry about cleaning and the Finish comes off on a rag ! Smith *& Wesson , Colt …what happened to good old American Workmanship Pride and Quality ?
When is the Silencer-SR-22 set to be released? No data anywhere online.
When it does come out, it might be a long wait to get it. Thanks to Obama and the National Firearms Act Trade & Collectors Association for spearheading 41P to 41F there is currently a panic to buy NFA items, especially suppressor’s. Just check Silencer Shop’s website, they are sold out of just about all well known desired makes/models. The 180 day clock for NFA Trust holders is ticking. I’m going to try and gear up myself.
Nice.
Hurry up Ruger. I would like to buy one in the next 180 days before my NFA Trust gets screwed by ATF 41F. The brilliant folks from the National Firearms Act Trade & Collectors Association (NFATCA) pissed on all NFA Trust holders in their efforts at getting the CLEO signature requirement removed and they are extremely proud of their success. http://www.nfatca.org/pubs/41F_announce.pdf
Sorry, I’ve got to disagree with you. I have an NFA trust and don’t feel I’ve been “pissed on” by NFATCA. Yeah, after 7/1/16, trust members must submit photos and fingerprints and that is an additional step to go through, but I don’t see it as that big of a burden. Like it or not, getting prints and photos done is a requirement for a lot of things like jobs, professional licenses, passports and CWPs. The trade-off of eliminating the CLEO Certification is a huge deal for folks who couldn’t get the sign-off under any circumstances before and that’s a big win for our side. When I created my NFA trust I intentionally kept it very simple (I’m the grantor and sole trustee). I didn’t try to add every Tom, Dick and Harry in 6 states to my trust just so they could borrow my toys because I figured doing so might eventually lead to problems.
Furthermore, once the “responsible persons” in a trust submit photos and prints, those documents will be valid for a two year period. If you acquire additional NFA items during that time, the photos and prints don’t have to be submitted again.
I have 3 people on my Trust: wife, daughter and myself. One of the best things I enjoyed about the trust was the fact that the CLEO didn’t even know my family possessed NFA items. I live very close to Philadelphia which has liberal politicians and a police force that constantly creates problems against lawful possession of regular firearms . Philly wants its own Assault Weapons Ban Law and they are pissed that state law won’t allow them to keep the ban they passed. They were sued by the NRA for not following Pennsylvania ‘s gun laws (NRA Won Easily). So as these Philly cops and liberal politicians start finding out how many short barreled rifles/shotguns and possibly a machine gun here or there: What’s going to happen? Cities are going to put these NFA items on display for the public to see and start quoting numbers on how many of these NFA items are now being purchased in their communities. If the NFATCA was thinking that 41F would increase NFA sales, that remains to be seen. After 07/01/2016 I’m done buying any more NFA items. I’ve been stocking up since 41P in 2013. For me and my family the NFA Trust brought INVALUABLE PRIVACY and possibly stopped police harassment. The answer to the CLEO problem was exactly what you did: You bought a NFA Trust. Years ago I paid around $500 for my trust. Today Silencer Shop and Silencerco have trust’s for $129.99. Pretty cheap price for privacy all of the other benefits it used to have.
I like Ruger … American, affordable, innovative quality. Don’t understand some posters who diss Ruger because they’re invested personal capital in a premium cost, foreign-made gun. I understand pride in a purchase that turns out great … but why run down a great American manufacturer and its great products. (Yes, I own several, and they are keep-in-the-family quality.)
The Ruger people are a tad smarter than the average gun manufacturing companies everywhere. They always look for the customers who want non-firearm related products that can be manufactured in the U.S.A. at competitive prices.
That means that if worse comes to worst and gun manufacturing is severely curtailed, Ruger has an edge in producing other things that people want.
In the meantime, the Ruger name is well regarded by those that want a good product at reasonable prices. What can I say? I love my Ruger 77/22 bolt action .22 rimfire rifle! This little stainless steel rifle will outlast my grandchildren.
The may not always produce the prettiest of products. But every product is built like a Main Battle Tank.